The first green card for a foreign spouse in a same-sex marriage was issued in the USA this week. But the USA is not the only country in the world where gay rights and issues of immigration are hot topics.
Xenophobia has been in the news a lot recently in South Africa. This country receives more refugees than anywhere else on the continent. Unfortunately, as the refugee populations rise, so too do tensions between locals and foreigners.
Many refugees in South Africa face additional discrimination because they identify as LGBTI. Homosexuality is illegal in 38 African countries. In some countries, it is a death penalty offense. South Africa, on the other hand, was the first country in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in their constitution. South Africa has by far the most liberal laws regarding LGBTI rights on the African continent. But as many sexual refugees find out, homophobia still exists in the country.
My friend Shannon is interning with an organization called Passop here in Cape Town. She has been working with LGBTI refugees and helped me connect me with some interviews so that I could make this video about the issue.
Xenophobia has been in the news a lot recently in South Africa. This country receives more refugees than anywhere else on the continent. Unfortunately, as the refugee populations rise, so too do tensions between locals and foreigners.
Many refugees in South Africa face additional discrimination because they identify as LGBTI. Homosexuality is illegal in 38 African countries. In some countries, it is a death penalty offense. South Africa, on the other hand, was the first country in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in their constitution. South Africa has by far the most liberal laws regarding LGBTI rights on the African continent. But as many sexual refugees find out, homophobia still exists in the country.
My friend Shannon is interning with an organization called Passop here in Cape Town. She has been working with LGBTI refugees and helped me connect me with some interviews so that I could make this video about the issue.
Watch this video on News24.
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